Home surveyors establish boundaries between residential land lots. Property owners often need a survey before financing a property. Surveyors determine land size, while appraisers calculate market value. Licensing and academic requirements vary by country. Surveyors use GPS and traditional equipment to mark property lines. They also determine if structures are on the correct property line. Surveyors may work for multiple clients or real estate companies.
A home surveyor produces reports that establish precise boundaries between residential land lots. In many countries, property owners are required to request a land survey before they can finance a property. Some people confuse surveyors with land appraisers, but surveyors are concerned with determining the size of residential parcels, while appraisers are tasked with calculating the market value of these lands.
In some nations, there are no specific academic requirements for someone wanting to work as a residential surveyor, although people working in the field will typically need to go through a licensing process. In some places, universities offer research degree programs during which students are taught techniques for measuring land areas, determining water boundaries, and even calculating airspace. In addition to degree programs, many community colleges offer short-term professional research courses, and some focus specifically on residential real estate. Regulatory rules in some areas mean that a home surveyor must have completed some form of course before applying for a license. The actual licensing process typically involves applicants paying a fee and passing an exam.
During new construction, construction companies hire a home surveyor to mark the boundaries between lots on which new homes will be built. Surveyors use global position satellites, geographic information systems (GIS) and traditional equipment, including tape measures, to establish the perimeter of each property. Construction companies can place fences along these boundaries so property lines can be easily recognized.
In addition to marking property lines, surveyors are often asked to determine whether existing fences and other types of structures are located on the actual property line that divides two residential land lots. Liability issues sometimes arise if a garden fence is situated in the wrong area and someone is injured near the fence. The owner of the property whose house is on the other side of the fence may be liable for damages if the accident technically takes place on the owner’s property. Consequently, insurance companies and mortgage companies often request a report from a home surveyor whenever a home changes hands, to ensure that all parties know exactly where one lot ends and the next begins.
Some researchers are self-employed, in which case they work contractually for multiple clients and are paid a flat fee for each survey they complete. Other surveyors work for real estate companies or real estate agents and these individuals are typically paid a salary. Many searchers are licensed to conduct various types of searches, although some choose to focus on residential properties.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
